INDIANAPOLIS - The emergence of William Jackson III as a rising NFL draft prospect and shutdown cornerback capable of shadowing fast wide receivers almost didn't happen.

As a sophomore at Wheatley High School, academic problems plagued the disinterested teenager and derailed him from landing scholarship offers. Jackson admittedly was hanging out with a rough, aimless group of friends. A future football career at the University of Houston much less graduating from high school hung in the balance as Jackson encountered a pivotal life crossroads.

"I was a knucklehead in high school," Jackson said at the NFL scouting combine. "I was hanging with the wrong crowd. I was being a follower, not a leader. My sophomore year, I kind of failed all of my classes.

"Guys I was close to were going to jail. I didn't want that for myself. I wanted to play ball. I knew I needed to get on the right track."

More Information

Ht.: 6-0 Wt: 190

Position: CB

College: Houston

Hometown:

Houston

High school: Wheatley

Although academic issues ultimately led Jackson to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens before later starring for the Cougars and leading the nation in pass breakups last season, his path was righted once his father, William Jackson Jr., discovered the wayward road his son was traveling.

"I stepped up to that, I intervened," said the elder Jackson, who owns an air conditioning and heating business that his son regularly helps him with. "When I noticed, I got in his face big time. That's why he had to go to junior college.

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"Now, Will is one of the most self-disciplined kids. He's a real coachable kid. He listens and uses his mind. He's always been a hard worker and loved football. He's an all-around great player. He's ready for the NFL. I'm big on confidence."

Jackson said his role model is his father.

"My dad's a great guy," Jackson said. "He's been with me through thick and thin."

JC stint humbling

Attending junior college was rough on Jackson after being a two-time all-district selection in high school. He had to adjust to new surroundings and get serious about school.

"Junior college humbled me," said Jackson, who credited Houston coach Tom Herman for aiding his development and providing good advice about how to approach the combine. "It made me appreciate things more. I kind of took it for granted before.

"I was blessed go to U of H."

Because of his combination of height, long arms, recovery speed, leaping ability, coverage skills and bold nature, Jackson (6-03⁄8, 190) is projected as a second-round draft target and is expected to be the first senior cornerback taken off the draft boards.

Jackson, who is fully recovered from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee suffered in the Cougars' Peach Bowl victory over Florida State that forced him to withdraw from the Senior Bowl all-star game, is eyeing an extremely fast 40-yard time.

40 time could be key

If Jackson runs the 40 in the 4.3- to 4.4-second range, he could inject himself into the conversation as a potential late first-round draft pick.

"I really don't like to talk about it, I just want you to see it," said Jackson, who is represented by Houston-based agent Kennard McGuire. "A lot of guys think I'll run a 4.5. I want to prove them wrong. The teams like my size. They want to see how well I'm going to run."

In a pass-first league, imposing cornerbacks like Jackson are coveted. He has met with nearly every NFL team at the combine.

"I love Jackson's athleticism, size and length and competitiveness," said one team's director of college scouting not authorized to speak publicly. "This kid can high-point the football with the best of them. I like him a lot.

"He's going to do very well in our league."

Jackson led the nation with 28 passes defended, intercepting five passes and returning two for touchdowns.

Florida State tried to go after Jackson in the Peach Bowl, but that was clearly a mistake. He was named the bowl's Defensive Most Valuable Player as he recorded 10 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. He had seven pass breakups in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

"William's long, and his wingspan allows him to be very physical in press coverage," Herman said. "He probably needs to put on 10 pounds of muscle, but he's not shy about throwing his body around. He's a very aggressive, competitive dude. He can catch the ball well. He's very good mentally at refocusing. He's a really good kid. Once he learns a new technique or assignment, he doesn't bust it.

"I've heard a lot of good things from NFL people about his size and length and ability. He's got a knack. He's got great instincts. What he did in the Florida State game, that was crazy. The only downside is he's a hair thin, but he'll gain weight."

Jackson allowed just 40 percent of the throws in his direction to be completed over the last two years.

"I have great ball skills so I feel I can match with any tall receiver on the outside," said Jackson, who met informally with the Texans as well as with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the combine. "I'm a tall corner. I can match up with any big receiver on the outside. I'm a press corner. I feel like that's my strength.

"I've got great ball skills. I've got great cover skills. I don't like to brag on myself, but I feel like I'm a great ball player."

Room for improvement

That doesn't mean Jackson can't stand for some improvements. He occasionally missed tackles while trying to deliver knockout blows. And he was penalized seven times for 73 yards.

"I have to stop trying to go for the big hit all the time, kind of learn to wrap up," Jackson said. "I need to get that habit out."